Now, If Only Instant Replay Could Help In Picking Games

September 27, 1986|By Jerry Greene of the Sentinel Staff

Still thinking about the instant replay, I realize that the current system won't work because the teams can prevent it from working.

If you are on offense and fear that the instant replay will go against you, such as the Jets in overtime Sunday when the replay appeared to show a lost fumble that the on-field officials missed, all you have to do is begin the next play before the press-box official can make a decision.

The only way to prevent that tactic is for the on-field officials to stop play on their own and wait for the upstairs decision. But such an act would be an admissal by the refs that they weren't sure they had made the right call.

Maybe this ''instant replay'' farce won't last after all. If you want to voice your opinion, CBS will conduct a telephone poll Sunday on NFL Today. Don't call me, because I'm hard to find on Sundays.

LAST WEEK: I've tried to be hard to find all week after self-destructing on Sunday-Monday. I was consistent, going 5-8 straight up (23-19 for season) and 5-8 against the spread (20-21-1 for season). But I've heard your boos before, and I'll hear them again. (Now there's a prediction you can take to the bank.) ATLANTA (3-0) at TAMPA BAY (1-2): No TV. Falcons favored by 6. . . . After emotional victory against Dallas, Falcons are ready to fall flat against lowly Bucs. Key is first quarter. If Bucs can come out of it even or ahead, they will be 2-2. . . . In a Won't-He-Ever-Learn Upset Special, Bucs by 3.

SAN FRANCISCO (2-1) at MIAMI (1-2): TV game. 'Olphins favored by 3. . . . Why call them the 'Olphins? Because they have no ''D.'' Hee-hee. . . . From what I hear, every time 49ers WR Jerry ''Call Me Wesley'' Rice looks at film of the 'Olphins' CBs, he nearly swoons. . . . In a How-Can-Dead- Fish-Be-Favored Upset Special, 49ers by 6.

SEATTLE (3-0) at WASHINGTON (3-0): TV game. Redskins favored by 4. . . . If you get sick of watching 49ers score, switch to this game. . . . Nice Guy Award to Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs, who had wife prepare a cassette tape describing the week's events in the Gibbs household, so he could play it in his office. . . . Watch for Redskins to bomb CB Dave Brown, who still is chasing Patriots receivers from last week. . . . Redskins by 9.

NEW ENGLAND (2-1) at DENVER (3-0): TV game. Broncos favored by 3. . . . Neither starting QB has thrown an interception this season. . . . Broncos have played nobody so far, but Patsies are for real. . . . In a Mile-High Upset Special, Patsies by 1.

CHICAGO (3-0) at CINCINNATI (2-1): Bears favored by 4 1/2. . . . Everybody is picking Bengals for an Upset Special -- except me. Hey, these are the Bears and the Bengals. . . . Bears will run at will on offense and turn Bengals FB Larry Kinnebrew into a pulling guard on defense. And Bengals can't punt, a skill they will need in this one. . . . Bears by 7.

KANSAS CITY (2-1) at BUFFALO (1-2): Bills favored by 2. . . . I told Jimmy the Greek to make this his upset of the week. QB Jim Kelly is only reason Bills are favored, but he can do little to protect a defense that may be worst than the 'Olphins'. . . . In a Let's-Be-Logical Upset Special, Chiefs by 3.

L.A. RAMS (3-0) at PHILADELPHIA (0-3): Rams favored by 6. . . . Well, what's coming out of Buddy Ryan's mouth this week? ''They just kicked the hell out of us. We were horse manure.'' The only thing that will stop Rams RB Eric Dickerson is any droppings left on the field. . . . Rams by 7.

NEW ORLEANS (1-2) at NEW JERSEY GIANTS (2-1): Giants favored by 11. . . . Perfect spot for Giants to take a snooze. Oh, they will win, but special teams will keep Saints in the game. . . . In a Point-Spread Upset, Giants by just 9. PITTSBURGH (0-3) at HOUSTON (1-2): Oilers favored by 6. . . . Game of the Week. . . . What has Oiler Coach Jerry Glanville got to say this week? ''We didn't play good defense, our offense was off and I didn't coach a good game -- but we're not as bad as we looked.'' The frightening thing is that I'm starting to understand him. . . . The bet here is if Steelers will get a first down. . . . Oilers by 18.

NEW JERSEY JETS (2-1) at INDIANAPOLIS (0-3): Jets favored by 10. . . . Big fear that Jets will go flat. But how do you forget that Dolts have earned one sack and given up 20? You don't forget. . . . Jets by 11 points, 12 sacks.

DALLAS (2-1) at ST. LOUIS (0-3): Monday night. Cowboys favored by 6 1/2. . . . Why can't I ever get the Cowboys right? Dennis Thurman, former Cowboy and current Card, said: ''I ain't used to this. And I can't take much more of it. I'm dying.'' Me, too, Thurman. . . . Like Packers last week, underdog Cards probably will rally only to fall short at end. . . . In a Point-Spread Upset, Cowboys by just 2.